well, i guess this has been posted on hn before, but i've never read it, so thanks for posting again. i'm glad i spent most of my work day reading it instead of

well, i guess this has been posted on hn before, but i've never read it, so thanks for posting again. i'm glad i spent most of my work day reading it instead of doing work (but maybe just because some of the conclusions helped me rationalize the futility of my own job in a way i've been struggling with lately). the part near the end discussing the loser's realization and process of transitioning into sociopath (or ending up "worse" than before) reminded me of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. it's been over a decade since i read it but i think the underlying idea is fairly similar to that process.